Vibration absorbing mechanism



6, s. E. WOODBURY 2.2l0,051

VIBRATION ABSORBING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 23, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1940. s. E. WOODBURY 2.2l0,05l

VIBRATION ABS ORBING MECHANI SM Filed Dec. 25, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v h g/vam- Jm @141? Aug. 6, 1940. s. E. WOODBURY 2.2-l0,05l

VIBRATION ABS ORBING MECHANISM M 5% #0 AM /V717 llg 12. 5 i. f H

Aug. 6, 1940.. s. E. WOODBURY VIBRATION ABS ORBING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 25, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 6 1940 UNITED STATES VIBRATION ABSORBING MECHANISM Stephen E. Woodbury, Beverly, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Borough of Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 23, 1936, Serial No. 117356 12 Glaims. (01. 248-21) This invention relates to vibration absorbing and dampening devices and is herein illustrated in connection with bases for supporting shoe machines or other apparatus.

' Many of the machines which are used in modern factories are so constructed and are driven at such speeds that vibrations are set up which are transmitted to the floorof a factory with amplitudes sufficiently large to constitute a hazard to the building and which are at least annoying to the occupants of the building and frequently render less effective the operations performed upon nearby machines. The vibration of machines if of sufiicientlylarge amplitude frequently results in oscillations of the operating point of the machine of such character asto cause inaccurate operation of the tools upon the work. Some attempts have been made, with varying degrees of success, to eradicate this difficulty by providing various types of vibration absorbing or dampening devices.

It is an object of the present invention to protive in reducing the vibrations transmitted to the floor as well as the amplitude thereof.

To this end and as illustrated the invention provides a base for machines in which the entire Weight of the machine is supported by resilient means, there being vibration absorbing mechanism in the form of dampers which are normally unstressed but which during the operation of the machine serve to absorb and dampen the vibrations set up. In some instances and as i1- lustrated, I prefer to mount themachine pivotally upon resilient supports and provide compensating connectionsby which the base of the machine is maintained parallel to the floor.

By use of the mechanism above outlined much of the objectionable effect of vibrations resulting from the operation ofmachines can be eliminated. I a I l I These and. other features of the invention are disclosed. in-the accompanying drawings, are de- 7 scribed. in the following detailed specification,

and are pointed. out inthe claims.- In the drawings, 3 Fig. 1 -is a plan view of a machine sub-base embodying one-form of .my invention;

, @Fig. 2- is a side elevation of the base;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of one of the vibration absorbing units; Fig. iis a plan view of the unit;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional View through Fig. 8 a bottom plan view of the machine il- I lustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a'plan view of one of the legs of the machine showing the vibration absorbing unit in position;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross section through the leg shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an end view in end elevation of the rear leg of the machine shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 12-is a. vertical cross section through the leg shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a clicking machine provided with a sub-base embodying another form of my invention;

Fig. 14' isa side elevation partly in section of the supporting mechanism and vibration absorbing mechanism for one of the legs of the machine of Fig. 13; I

Fig. 15-is a plan view of the mechanism. i1- lustratedin Fig. 14 and v r Fig. 16 is a side View partly in section of that mechanism.

In general, I have carried out my invention by supporting the entire weight of the machine by metallic springs of such stiffness that the natural frequency of the system is small compared .to the impressed frequency resulting from operation of the machine, and using dampers such as rubber dampers to absorb vibrations set up by operation ofthe machine as Well as to take care of extraneous forces acting upon the machine.

One form of mechanism which I have developed for accomplishing this is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, vwhich disclose a base for a comparatively large machine the lower portion of which is shown in dot and dash lines 10- in Figs. 1 and 2. The base itself comprises a plurality of channel sections l2 and I3 arranged in the, form of a truss and secured together by bolts M. As shownthe portions of the channels sup port a. machine column I6 at the left-hand side as l of the base and the legs of the machine rest upon upper portions of channel members I3. For supporting the base and the machine above the floor I have provided resilient suspension units each of which, as shown in Fig. 5, comprises a socket 20 adapted to rest upon the floor, a spring cup 22 having a depending portion 24 extending into an opening 26 in the socket. Resting upon the bottom of the cup is a spring 28 which bears against a washer 30 carried by a screw 32 extending through a tie plate 34 which has depending flanges 35 fixedly secured to the channel I2 by a pin 38. This construction is such that the tie plate supports the channel and is in turn resiliently supported above the floor by the spring 28. A nut 49 is provided on the screw head 32 for adjusting the position of the machine above the floor and the cup 22 is provided with a flange 4I adapted to engage the upper face of the channel I2 to prevent collapse of the unit during its assembly and adjustment. As shown in Fig. 1 a number of these units are utilized to support the entire weight of the sub base and the machine which it carries, the units being placed in positions which will insure that the machine will be supported on the level.

In order to dampen and absorb vibrations arising out of operation of the machine several of the units are connected to dampers 42. As shown in Figs. 4 and 6 the damper 42 comprises a block of rubber 44 opposite faces of which have bonded thereto metal plates 46 and 48. The plate 46 is secured by bolts 59 to a bracket '52 which in turn is secured by a bolt 54 to one of the channels I2 at a point adjacent to one of the resilient supporting units. The plate 43 is connected by bolts 49 to a bracket 56 which has a laterally extending flange 58 which is preferably secured rigidly to the floor.

The spring constant of the springs 28 is so chosen with respect to the natural frequency of the system and with respect to the impressed frequency initiated by operation of the machine that the base and machine will oscillate in a heightwise direction at a low frequency. The dampers 42 are chosen with regard to theirlateral stiffness so as to operate to retain the machine in position on the floor without considerably increasing the forces transmitted to the floor. In this connection it is to be noted that in assembling the dampers the bolts 92 are tightened until the spring pressure of the springs 28 has been adjusted to raise the machine above the floor to the extent that the bolts 5!] can be inserted and tightened without placing any strain upon the damper either in a heightwise or a lateral direction. Accordingly, there is normally no static load upon the dampers. When vibrations are set up due to operation of the machine the dampers will be in position to absorb them along vertical planes as when the bracket 52 is shifted heightvvise of the bracket 55, thus placing a strain upon the damper which has a tendency to move the bracket in the opposite direction. The dampers are similarly effective in absorbing vibrations in other planes and prevent or absorb vibrations of the machine which would cause movement of the bracket directly toward or away from the bracket 56 in a horizontal plane.

Figs. '7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a modification of the invention as applied to a loose nailing machine. As shown in Fig. 7 the machine comprises a frame 60 which carries a work support in the form of a horn 62 adapted tosupport a shoe such as shoe B4 in operative'position relatively to a driver 66 illustrated diagrammatically as being arranged to be reciprocated by a rack 88 adapted to engage a sector I0 carried by a bellcrank lever I2 arranged to be oscillated by a cam 14 on a shaft 15 rotated by a pulley 16 driven by a belt I8 from a driving pulley B0. The frame 99 is carried by a base 82 which has two forwardly projecting legs 84 and a rear leg 86. As best shown in Fig. 10 each of the forward legs is carried by a foot 88 adapted to be secured to the floor by a bolt 99. The load on each of the forward legs is carried by a lever 92 pivoted to the leg at 94 and pivoted to the foot 88 at 96, there being a spring 98 positioned within a guide tube Itil in an opening I92 in the body portion of the leg. The spring 98 is arranged to surround a safety rod I94 which, at its upper end, carries a washer I96 bearing upon the upper extremity of the wall of the opening I92, there being retaining nuts I08 on the rod I94 located upon opposite sides of the lever 92. At one side of the foot 88 is a boss III! adapted to receive the lower end of a vertically extending bracket II2 to which is secured a rubber damper unit II4 by means of bolts M6, the opposite side of the unit being secured to a frame bracket II 8 by means of bolts I20. This construction is such that the forward portion of the machine is supported by means of the spring 98, lever 92 and feet 88, the dampers H4 being efi'ective to absorb and dampen vibrations set up by a disturbing force acting upon the machine frame.

In order to maintain the driver 66 or the operating point substantially in a vertical plane there is provided a compensating device comprising a rod I22 which extends laterally through the base 82 and has arms I24 at each end thereof which are pivotally connected to thebrackets H2 at I26. This construction is such that if there is a tendency to move one of the forward legs downwardly or upwardly relatively to the central portion of the frame of the machine the movement will be transmitted through the rod I22 to the other side thereof with the result that that side will tend to move in the same direction. Thus, both of the forward legs 84 will be maintained equidistant from the floor regardless of movement thereof in a heightwise direction. In view of this the driver 65 will be maintained in a vertical plane although it may move slightly angularly in that plane about the rear portion of the machine. Preferably the damper mechanism is protected by means of a cap I21 secured'to the frame. 7

The rearward portion of the machine is supported by a foot I28. best shown in Fig. 12, the leg 39 being supported from the foot by means of a lever I32 which is pivoted to the leg at I34 and to the foot at I35, there being a spring I38, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 10, which supports the rearward portion of the machine. The foot I28 has a boss I39 which supports a bracket MI} upon which is positioned a rubber damper I42 secured to the bracket by bolts I44 and secured to a frame bracket I46 by means of bolts M8. the frame bracket being secured to the leg 86 by bolts I59. In this instance the rubber damper I42 is arranged to receive the direct thrust due to varying heightwise positions of the rear portion of the machine and in the position shown is effective in producing a resistance to the pull of the belt 18.

It is to be noted that the entire weight of the machineis supported by the springs 98 and ran which are preferably so selected as to spring scale that their natural frequency of vibration is low and that the clamping members I I4 and I42 serve the machine which, in the latter case, resultsv from the belt pull.

Figs. 13, 14, and 16 illustrate another modification of my invention, namely a vibration absorbing sub-base, particularly adapted for use in connection with clicking machines. There is shown in Fig. 13 a clicking machine comprising a frame I52 having a work supporting bed I54, and a reciprocating post I56 which carries a presser arm I58 which is adapted to apply pressure to a die which may be located upon work such as sheet material positioned upon the bed I54. The frame of the machine is supported by four legs I66, each of which in turn is supported by a vibration absorbing and damping unit I62.

Each of these.units comprises a base plate I64 to which supporting mechanism is secured. This mechanism comprises a bracket I66 having a lateral projection or lug I68 to which a leg of the machine is secured by means of a bolt I10. The bracket I66 has laterally extending ears I12 which rest upon plates I14 supported by springs I16 resting upon the spring perches I18 in contact with the base plate I64. Each of the springs I16 surrounds a safety rod I89 which extends through an opening I92 in an ear I12 and through an opening I84 in the base plate, there being a washer I86 and a nut I88 for retaining the lower portion of the rod in position in the base plate and there being a washer I96 positioned in the opening I82 and adjustable nuts I92 upon the rod for limiting the expansion of the spring prior to its assembly in the machine. Each of the springs is positioned in a tubular guide I94 which serves to protect the same and prevent it from spreading in a lateral direction.

This construction is arranged to support the entire weight of the machine and to permit it to --oscillate in a heightwise direction at a low frequency.

In order'to absorb the vibrations of the machine due to its operation there are provided dampers which form integral parts of the machine supporting units.

To this end, and as best shown in Fig. 16, there is a bracket I96 secured by bolts I98 to an upturned edge portion 266 of each base plate I64. Secured to the bracket is a rubber damper 2B2 held in position by bolts 204, the damper being secured at its opposite side to the bracket I66 by means of bolts 206. This construction provides for the absorption and damping of vibrations transmitted to the dampers during operation of the machine. In this connection it is to be noted that since the entire weight of the machine is carried by the springs I16 when the machine is not in operation the dampers 292 are not under stress but that when an external disturbing force is applied the dampers will tend to absorb it regardless of the direction in which it acts, thus making an effective vibration damping device.

In order to maintain the bed of the machine substantially parallel to the floor regardless of the direction and extent of forces supplied to the bed, I have provided compensating members in the form of channel sections 268 which are respectively connected to the pairs of legs at opposite sides of the machine. The channel sections'are respectively loosely pivoted to each other at 2I0 and their outer ends are pivoted at 2I2 in lugs 2 I3 projecting from the bracket I64 and are secured to ears 2 on the bracket I66 by a pivot pin 2I6. By this arrangement force operating upon one of the legs of the machine to raise .or lower it will cause a similar raising or lowering of the corresponding leg at the opposite end of the machine. Preferably and as shown, the two sets of compensating members are operatively connected so that force acting on any one of the legs to raise or lower it will result in a corresponding raising or lowering of the entire machine. To this end, I have provided compensating rods 2I8 extending between the two sets of channel members and being secured thereto by pins 220 and an arm 222 which is secured to a channel member by means of a bolt 224. This construction is such that any force which tends to. raise or lower one of the legs I60 will be transmitted through the channel members 208 and compensating member 2I8 to each of the other legs with the result that each leg will be raised or lowered through the same distance.

Having described my invention, what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A base for machines comprising a plurality of framemembers arranged to carry a machine, supporting feet, springs carried by the feet and engaging portions of the frame members for supporting the entire weight of the machine, brackets secured to the floor, the springs being of a sti'ifness so related to the weight of the machine that the natural frequency of vibration of the system is low compared to the frequency of vibration of the machine during its operation, and normally unloaded rubber dampers secured to the brackets and to the frame members and connected between the brackets and frame members so as to be subjected to shear upon movement of the machine heightwise of the floor for damping vibrations set up during the operation of the machine. I

2. A base for machines comprising a machine supporting frame, brackets carried by the frame, supporting feet resting upon the floor, springs extending between the feet and the brackets, the springs being of a stiffness so related to the weight of the machine that the natural frequency of vibration of the system is low compared to the frequency of vibration of the machine during its operation, members carried by the brackets and engaging ends of the springs for varying the heightwise position of the frame relatively to the floor, and rubber damping members positioned between the frame and the floor and arranged so as to be subjected to shear upon movement of the machine heightwise of the floor.

3. A base for machines comprising a plurality of supporting feet secured to the floor, a lever pivoted to each of the feet and to the frame of the machine, a spring engaging each of the levers and a portion of the frame thereby resiliently to support the entire weight of the machine, and rubber dampers positioned between the feet and the frame to dampen vibrations caused by the operation of the machine.

4. A support for machines comprising a pluizontally through the frame and having arms at the ends thereof pivotally connected to the brackets.

5. A support for machines comprising a plurality of base members, springs extending between the base members and the frame of the machine for supporting the entire weight of the machine, brackets carried by the base members, and a compensating member comprising a rod engaging a portion of the frame and mounted upon the brackets for angular movement into various positions parallel to the base members.

6. A base for machines comprising a plurality of supporting units each of which is adapted to engage and support a leg of a machine, each of said units comprising a base plate, springs carried by the plate, a bracket resting upon the springs and having a portion adapted to receive and support a leg of the machine, and a damper between the base plate and the bracket and secured thereto, and a system of levers connecting the several brackets of the units to maintain the brackets and legs of the machine parallel to the floor irrespective of their heightwise position.

7. A support for machines comprising a plurality of base plates each of which is associated with a leg of a machine to be supported above the floor, a plurality of springs resting upon each of the base plates, brackets supported upon the springs, each of the brackets being secured to a leg of the machine, compensating connections between the brackets comprising two pivotally connected members pivotally mounted near their ends upon base plates and pivotally connected to the brackets in such manner that variation in heightwise movements of one of the brackets will be communicated through the members to the other bracket.

8. A supporting unit for machines comprising a base plate, a plurality of springs resting upon the plate, and a bracket resting upon the springs and having a projection adapted to receive and support a portion of a machine.

9. A supporting unit for machines comprising a base plate, a plurality of springs carried by the plate, a bracket resting upon the springs and having a projection adapted to receive and support a portion of a machine, a second bracket secured to the base plate, and a rubber damper positioned between and secured to the two brackets.

10. A supporting unit for machines comprising a base, springs resting upon the base, a bracket having a body portion located between the springs and having lateral projections resting upon the springs, the body portion of the bracket having means for engaging and supporting a leg of a machine, a second bracket extending heightwise of the base, and a rubber damper positioned between the two brackets and secured thereto.

11. A supporting unit for machines comprising a base, springs resting upon the base, a bracket having a portion positioned between the springs and adapted to engage and support a leg of a machine, the bracket having lateral projections resting upon the upper ends of the springs, rods extending lengthwise of the springs through the lateral projections of the bracket and through the base, and locking means at opposite ends of the rods to limit the extension of the springs when the bracket is unloaded.

12. A mounting for machines comprising a plu rality of springs arranged to support the entire weight of a machine above a fixed support, the springs being of a stiffness so related to the weight of the machine that the natural frequency of vibration of the system is low compared to the frequency of vibration of the machine during its operation, and a normally unloaded rubber damper positioned between the machine and the fixed support and connected between the machine and fixed support so as to be subjected to shear upon movement of the machine in directions heightwise of the support.

STEPHEN E. WOODBURY. 

